Frequently Asked Questions

We know that you will have many questions about your sinkhole/foundation repairs or pre-construction project. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions: Sinkhole Repair

Does Helicon provide a warranty?We are proud to offer an industry leading firm foundation warranty on all sinkhole services.

How do I choose a contractor?In person interviews with a project manager from the companies you are considering for the repair will allow you to get your most important questions answered and will help you make an educated decision.

Which repair method is better, underpinning or grouting?Both are excellent repairs, but they accomplish stabilization in two different ways. Compaction grouting is a geological remedy while underpinning is a structural remedy. Please refer to our underpinning and grouting pages for detailed information on each service or call to speak to a project manager.

If I do have a sinkhole, how will I determine the best way to repair it? As part of the investigation by the geotechnical engineer, a repair recommendation will be included if sinkhole activity is found.

What are signs of a possible sinkhole? Stair step cracks, windows and doors are hard to open/close, depressions in the yard, cracks in the slab, creaking noises throughout building.

How do I know if I have a sinkhole?The only sure way to know you have a sinkhole is to consult with a professional engineer. Feel free to contact us to point you in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions: Pre-Construction

Does Helicon provide a warranty?We are proud to offer an industry leading firm foundation warranty on all sinkhole services.

How do I choose a contractor?In person interviews with a project manager from the companies you are considering for the repair will allow you to get your most important questions answered and will help you make an educated decision.

How do I know if my property has sinkhole conditions?Developers are required — by law — to test soil conditions on a site prior to building homes or commercial property. They are not, however, required to do sinkhole testing.

Is it worth it to install pre-construction helical piers before we build a house?It is easier and more cost-effective to underpin a foundation or stabilize weak soils before a home is built. Upfront shoring of the foundation of a home can potentially offset the cost of sinkhole loss coverage over the life of the mortgage.

Who is capable of installing these pre-construction processes?Contact Helicon to find out how pre-construction helical piers can protect your new home and save you money on sinkhole insurance premiums. As a recognized leader in sinkhole remediation and with over a decade of experience, Helicon has completed thousands of successful projects.

Frequently Asked Questions: Foundation Repair

Does Helicon provide a warranty?We are proud to offer an industry leading firm foundation warranty on all sinkhole services.

How do I choose a contractor?In person interviews with a project manager from the companies you are considering for the repair will allow you to get your most important questions answered and will help you make an educated decision.

Will my landscape be damaged?Your property is important to you, which is why it’s important to us. During repairs, we take extra steps to be minimally invasive, leaving your landscaping intact.

How do you determine what needs to be done?Depending on the complexity of the home foundation problem, our professional inspector will inspect your home’s exterior and interior and take elevation readings of the interior.

What are signs of possible foundation problems? Stair step cracks, windows and doors are hard to open/close, depressions in the yard, cracks in the slab, creaking noises throughout building.

How do I know if I have a foundation problem? The only sure way to know you have a foundation problem is to consult with a professional engineer. Feel free to contact us to point you in the right direction.